UNCLAS PRISTINA 000257

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC MW MONTENEGRO PREF SR YI ZL
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE GRANTED TO ROLF OLSON

REF: SECSTATE 42722


1. US Office Pristina welcomes and grants country clearance
to PRM/ECA Program Officer, Rolf Olson to visit Pristina March
26-29, 2006. The purpose of the visit is to examine the
current environment for minority returnees in Kosovo and to
meet with UNHCR, NGO partners, UNMIK, and PISG officials on
returns initiatives and current assistance efforts. Control
officer will be Deputy Econ/Pol Chief David Whiddon, who can
be reached at: office 381-38-549-516 ext. 3241; GSM 377-44-153
565; fax 381-38-549-890.


2. Post will coordinate arrangements for overland travel with
Amembassy Belgrade. Post will also make arrangements for
transportation for official meetings during the visit.
Accommodations have been confirmed at Hotel Victory, Tel#
038/543 277; www.hotel-victory.com. The Hotel Victory accepts
cash only. The room rate is Euro 73.90 a night, including
breakfast.


3. Kosovo is a cash (Euro) economy. There are a few
operating ATMs. A few large stores and some hotels take credit
cards. Not all ATMS are reliable and personnel should use
normal ATM safety precautions. TDY personnel should bring
sufficient cash or travelers' checks to cover all hotel and
other incidental expenses and may exchange dollars for Euros
from 9:00am-11:30am and 1:00pm-3:30pm each Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday and 9:00am-11:30am each Thursday at the
U.S. Office cashier. Only USOP accepts travelers' checks.
Reverse accommodation is available at the end of the visit.


4. Security issues: The security situation in Kosovo is
fluid and there is still risk from occasional episodes of
violence; incidents of ethnic violence continue to occur.
Land mines remain in some outlying areas. Civil society
institutions generally do not yet meet Western standards.
There is criminal activity against internationals, including
purse snatching and residential break-ins and general
precautions are recommended. KFOR is deployed throughout
Kosovo.


5. Travel to certain areas within Kosovo province requires
fully armored vehicles and advance RSO approval. To
facilitate planning, please provide travel itinerary to USOP
in advance of arrival, as same-day travel can be difficult to
arrange. To provide appropriate access to USOP facilities,
visitors must ensure all necessary security clearances are
included with travel messages.


6. Please ensure ASEC tags are included to ensure proper
distribution. Specific questions regarding security may be
addressed to USOP's RSO or your control officer.

GOLDBERG